Do The Right Thing Analysis

It is unfortunate that intolerance continues to exist in our nation (or anywhere else for that matter). Racism, one of the largest and most prevalent forms of intolerance, commonly destroys relationships and can eventually lead to violence. The existence of such hateful ideologies is so prevalent in our society that popular culture is constantly trying to challenge the ignorant basis of racial conflict. Spike Lee’s film, Do the Right Thing, connects with this concept of racial conflict that is so foreign to my past. Through the application of my social and political views, I will demonstrate how the film is difficult for myself to relate to and, in my opinion, conveys a misleading message. Granted, I come from a place much different than that

To a certain extent, this demonstrates a sense of individualism as well as maturity. The character that I most closely relate to is Sal, but I would consider Mookie to be a close second. Both of these characters realize the value of work and subsequent reward while keeping in mind the damaging effects of conflict. Sal has quite a bit of faith in Mookie to deliver pizzas and deal with some of the more difficult customers (e.g. Buggin’ Out). Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are mentioned commonly throughout the film; one man values love while the other champions the occasional necessity for violence. Though Sal and Mookie seem very much indifferent rather than belonging to one side or the other, they both demonstrate signs of love rather than of hate. As a result, these men don’t necessarily begin confrontations, rather conflict seems to find

In the film, Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out begin to protest Sal’s pizzeria due to the “racist implications” conveyed by Sal’s wall of fame. Raheem, along with Buggin’ Out, walks into the pizzeria after hours with his radio blaring. Despite Sal’s best attempts to gently remove the men from the premises, Raheem and Buggin’ Out refuse to leave and continue to turn up the stereo. At this point, these men are obviously acting irrationally (perhaps due to their youth and therefore immaturity). Finally, Sal, fueled by his pent up frustration, begins to yell racial slurs while destroying Raheem’s radio with a baseball bat. This action obviously upsets Raheem who, in turn, begins to physically assault Sal. The entire situation continues to escalate until the eventual intervention by the police and murder of Radio Raheem. I disagree with how Raheem and Buggin’ Out were treated as a result of their behavior, however, it is simple to understand how this fiasco could’ve been avoided. As previously mentioned, this film was set in a very racially tense era and, as such, the Black, Hispanic, and Asian characters should’ve been well aware of the possible repercussions of confronting anyone at night with an angry demeanor. Once again, I’m not trying to justify the reactions to these men, I am simply trying to explain that there was little thought put into everyones’